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Vernon Police and State Police are investigating skeletal remains found in the old Rockville dump. (Published Thursday, March 14, 2013)

Police are investigating the discovery of what appear to be human remains in Vernon.

The skeletal remains were found on Wednesday in the area of 126 West Street on land that once served as the Rockville landfill. Police said they believe the remains are human.

Adam Viens, of Vernon, was walking through the woods near his home looking for scrap metal when he found what he believes was a human skull.

"I was tracking through the woods to get some materials for a sculpture and happened to go down to where the brook was --look over and see --it seemed fake at first so not thinking much of it, I picked it up," Viens said. "It had fillings in the teeth. Pretty scary."

State police cadaver dogs were being used Thursday to search the area of West Street near South Street, according to police.

"They had me show where that happened and they sort of marked it off and had someone sit and watch and make sure nothing got tampered with overnight," Viens said.

Investigators are still trying to determine if there is a criminal aspect to their investigation, police said.

They have not released any information on how long the remains have been there.

"I have three kids and it just kind of freaks me out," said Derrah Nelson, who lives across the street from where the remains were discovered.

People in the area fear the remains could be one of three girls who disappeared in the 1960's and 1970's and have never been found.

Lisa White, from Vernon, lived near the scene and disappeared in November 1974, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Janice Pockett, of Tolland, was last seen in July 1973, according to the N.C.M.E.C.

Deborah Spickler disappeared in Vernon back in July 1968, according to the N.C.M.E.C.

"It's really too early to speculate about anything at this time so it's just an active and ongoing investigation," said Lt. William Meier, of the Vernon Police Department.

Authorities expect to be on the scene for a few days collecting evidence in the case.

"It's unbelievable. We used to go down there all the time and play as kids," said Ashley Viens, who's brother discovered the remains.